Written question asked by Iris Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 21 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 April 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 April 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans there are to institute a tendering process for the provision of NHS fertility treatment within the the private sector in the Province.

Answer: Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to institute a tendering process for the provision of NHS fertility treatment within the private sector in the Province. [223672] Angela Smith: The commissioning of specific health and social care services in Northern Ireland, including publicly funded fertility services, is a matter for the Health and Social Services Boards. In their capacity as commissioners, Boards may decide to test the provision of services against private sector providers, although they are not compelled to do so. It is only when a decision is made to test the market that procurement requirements apply and the tendering process is initiated. In the case of fertility services boards have not decided to test the market, but to jointly commission publicly funded fertility treatments from the Regional Fertility Centre at the Royal Group of hospitals.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 432 c1418W;432 c1414W; 223672
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Contracts Fertility Private sector NHS Medical treatments Northern Ireland
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk